Hundreds of thousands gather for illuminated boat procession, Naga fireballs along Mekong

NAKHON PHANOM, Oct 27 (TNA) - Hundreds of thousands of tourists gathered along the Mekong River on the full moon night marking the end of Buddhist Lent to witness the annual illuminated boat procession in Nakhon Phanom and the Naga fireball phenomenon in Nong Khai.

In Nakhon Phanom, crowds packed a 3-kilometer stretch along the riverbank to view 12 grand, handcrafted illuminated boats competing in annual light displays. Each massive vessel, representing one of the province's districts, was adorned with thousands of glowing oil lamps. Local officials estimate the 12-day festival generated over 100 million baht ($2.9 million) as hotel and restaurant bookings surged.

Further upstream in neighboring Nong Khai province, tens of thousands gathered to watch the annual "Naga fireballs"—a rare phenomenon where glowing red orbs rise mysterious from the river into the night sky. The first fireball appeared shortly after dusk, sparking cheers from onlookers lined along the riverbank.  

Local authorities reported approximately 48,300 visitors in Rattanawapi district for the event, down from 74,300 in 2025. Last year, official tallies recorded 287 Naga fireballs across Nong Khai, with 237 spotted in Rattanawapi and 50 in Phon Phisai district. - 819 (TNA)